Today is not only a significant day for Azerbaijan but also for the entire region and the broader post-Soviet space. November 17, which marks National Revival Day, symbolizes the uprising and defiance of a small nation that had endured over two centuries of assimilation policies, systematic attempts to erase its history, and pressures to abandon its national identity. This day represents a key moment in the Azerbaijani people’s path toward self-awareness, freedom, and statehood.

Looking back historically, 37 years ago, the Azerbaijani nation had reached the limits of its patience. Armenia, backed by the authoritarian remnants of the Russian empire, sought to annex Garabagh, an inseparable part of Azerbaijan. Until then, Azerbaijanis had not reacted decisively against the empire’s harsh policies. But on that day, the people said enough. They declared to the Kremlin and the world that they would not surrender a gram of their natural resources or a centimeter of their territory to any power, including Moscow.

The empire was unprepared for such defiance. The punitive response was swift and brutal. The Bloody January........

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